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AI Engineer, researcher, and educator based in Rexburg, Idaho. Currently leading AI development at Brigham Young University–Idaho, where I build intelligent automation systems, deploy support agents, and conduct applied research in retrieval-augmented generation. My work spans OpenAI, Anthropic, HuggingFace, and local inference tools, with a focus on leveraging AI to enhance cost, quality, experience, and reach—core principles guiding BYU-Idaho's digital transformation strategy.

Adjunct Professor in Computer Science, teaching Introduction to Programming with an emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning. Background in IT management blends architecture, development, and innovation.

Committed to helping others grow through challenges—including ADHD—while actively mentoring and building systems that uplift. A husband, father of five, and disciple of Jesus Christ. Open to conversations about faith, technology, leadership, and how they intersect.

BYU-Idaho Department of Information Technology · Feb 2025 – Present

• Develop, test, and deploy AI solutions aligned with institutional goals, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, and user experience.
• Design and orchestrate AI agents to augment university operations and integrations.
• Build with a range of LLM technologies including OpenAI, Anthropic, HuggingFace, and local open-source models.
• Lead architectural strategy for AI integration and knowledge management using vector databases, semantic search, and prompt engineering.
• Partner with departments to identify opportunities for automation and intelligent systems that support enrollment, retention, and innovation.

BYU-Idaho College of Physical Science and Engineering · Current

• Redesigned Introduction to Programming (CSE 110) with a project-based learning approach, enabling students to build fully functional Python applications over the semester.
• Developed Python-Tutor, a generative AI-powered programming tutor.
• Integrate AI tools into curriculum to equip students with skills relevant to the evolving technology landscape.

BYU-Idaho Department of Information Technology · Sept 2017 – Feb 2025

• Pioneered implementation of AI chatbot technologies, enhancing customer support and operational efficiency.
• Developed the IT Help Center, consolidating IT service management into one integrated web application.
• Integrated Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS) methodology, achieving 80% zero-day resolution rate.
• Engineered automation solutions to streamline IT change management and reduce manual workload.

M.S. Information Technology Management · In Progress
Western Governors University

B.S. Business Management
Brigham Young University–Idaho

An applied research project implementing Anthropic's Contextual Retrieval methodology for scripture study. This work addresses the challenge of retrieving relevant verses when queries use modern vocabulary that differs from archaic scriptural language.

Key contributions:

• Developed a clean-room methodology for generating retrieval-optimized context without using copyrighted Church study aids
• Demonstrated 5.4% improvement in Precision@5 and 4.6% improvement in NDCG@10 over traditional RAG approaches
• Discovered that general-purpose reranking models degrade performance on specialized religious texts (p=0.011)

GitHub Repository

Scripture-Contextual-Retrieval — Contextual retrieval pipeline for the LDS Standard Works with full evaluation framework. Implements IP-compliant methodology for AI-augmented scripture study.

Python-Tutor — AI-powered programming tutor developed for BYU-Idaho's Introduction to Programming course. Provides personalized assistance to students learning Python.

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